Business Community Mourns: Statements

The passing of Steve Jobs evoked sorrow and emotion across the world and throughout the business and tech community. Below are some of the statements and comments:

Microsoft Co-Founder and Chairman, Bill Gates:

"Steve and I first met nearly 30 years ago, and have been colleagues, competitors and friends over the course of more than half our lives. The world rarely sees someone who has had the profound impact Steve has had, the effects of which will be felt for many generations to come. For those of us lucky enough to get to work with him, it's been an insanely great honor."

Former GE Chairman and CEO, Jack Welch:

"He wasn’t just a genius entrepreneur, he was an executer. He was a great marketer, supply chain manager and a great genius entrepreneur ... What this guy did for business is, he invented cool ... This guy delivered products that made business cool."

Walt Disney CEO, Bob Iger:

"Steve Jobs was a great friend as well as a trusted advisor. His legacy will extend far beyond the products he created or the businesses he built. It will be the millions of people he inspired, the lives he changed, and the culture he defined. Steve was such an 'original,' with a thoroughly creative, imaginative mind that defined an era. Despite all he accomplished, it feels like he was just getting started."

Time Warner Chairman & CEO, Jeff Bewkes:

"The entire Time Warner family mourns the loss of Steve Jobs. The world is a better place because of Steve, and the stories our company tells have been made richer by the products he created. He was a dynamic and fearless competitor, collaborator, and friend. In a society that has seen incredible technological innovation during our lifetimes, Steve may be the one true icon whose legacy will be remembered for a thousand years."

Microsoft Co-Founder, Paul Allen:

"We've lost a unique tech pioneer and auteur who knew how to make amazingly great products. Steve fought a long battle against tough odds in a very brave way. He kept doing amazing things in the face of all that adversity. As someone who has had his own medical challenges, I couldn't help but be encouraged by how he persevered."

Dell CEO, Michael Dell:

"Today the world lost a visionary leader, the technology industry lost an iconic legend and I lost a friend and fellow founder. The legacy of Steve Jobs will be remembered for generations to come."

AOL Founder, Steve Case:

"I feel honored to have known Steve Jobs. He was the most innovative entrepreneur of our generation. His legacy will live on for the ages."

President Obama:

"Michelle and I are saddened to learn of the passing of Steve Jobs. Steve was among the greatest of American innovators — brave enough to think differently, bold enough to believe he could change the world, and talented enough to do it. By building one of the planet's most successful companies from his garage, he exemplified the spirit of American ingenuity. By making computers personal and putting the internet in our pockets, he made the information revolution not only accessible, but intuitive and fun. And by turning his talents to storytelling, he has brought joy to millions of children and grownups alike. Steve was fond of saying that he lived every day like it was his last. Because he did, he transformed our lives, redefined entire industries, and achieved one of the rarest feats in human history: he changed the way each of us sees the world. The world has lost a visionary. And there may be no greater tribute to Steve's success than the fact that much of the world learned of his passing on a device he invented. Michelle and I send our thoughts and prayers to Steve's wife Laurene, his family, and all those who loved him."

Google CEO, Larry Page:

"I am very, very sad to hear the news about Steve. He was a great man with incredible achievements and amazing brilliance. He always seemed to be able to say in very few words what you actually should have been thinking before you thought it. His focus on the user experience above all else has always been an inspiration to me. He was very kind to reach out to me as I became CEO of Google and spend time offering his advice and knowledge even though he was not at all well. My thoughts and Google's are with his family and the whole Apple family."

Google Chairman, Eric Schmidt:

"Today is very sad for all of us. Steve defined a generation of style and technology that's unlikely to be matched again. Steve was so charismatically brilliant that he inspired people to do the impossible, and he will be remembered as the greatest computer innovator in history."

Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook:

"Steve, thank you for being a mentor and a friend. Thanks for showing that what you build can change the world. I will miss you."

Brian Roberts, CEO, Comcast:

"Such a sad day...an entire generation-not just of Americans-but all over the world young and old-will remember this moment and this empty feeling. His products, sensibility and uniqueness changed how so many of us live. Almost nobody ever does that. Personally, he often disagreed with you and yet also encourage you in the same conversation. I'm appreciative to have had some opportunities to see his genius first-hand. My sympathies to his family."

News Corp CEO, Rupert Murdoch:

"Today, we lost one of the most influential thinkers, creators and entrepreneurs of all time. Steve Jobs was simply the greatest CEO of his generation. While I am deeply saddened by his passing, I'm reminded of the stunning impact he had in revolutionizing the way people consume media and entertainment. My heart goes out to his family and to everyone who had the opportunity to work beside him in bringing his many visions to life."

Samsung Electronic CEO, G.S. Choi

"Chairman Steve Jobs introduced numerous revolutionary changes to the information technology industry and was a great entrepreneur. His innovative spirit and remarkable accomplishments will forever be remembered by people around the world."

Sony CEO, Howard Stringer

"The digital age has lost its leading light, but Steve's innovation and creativity will inspire dreamers and thinkers for generations."

AT&T Chairman and CEO, Randall Stephenson:

"We are saddened by the passing of Steve Jobs. Steve was an iconic inventor, visionary, and entrepreneur, and we had the privilege to know him as partner and friend. All of us at AT&T offer our thoughts and prayers to Steve's wife, family, and his Apple family."

Hewlett-Packard CEO, Meg Whitman:

"Steve Jobs was an iconic entrepreneur and businessman whose impact on technology was felt beyond Silicon Valley. He will be remembered for the innovation he brought to market and the inspiration he brought to the world."

Broadcom CEO, Scott McGregor:

"Steve's passion for innovation and creativity will carry on for decades to come. His legacy is enormous, touching millions of people around the world. Ourentire industry and economy is better for his presence and incredible contributions. On behalf of Broadcom, we send our deepest condolences to Steve's family and to Apple employees."

Yahoo Co-Founder, Jerry Yang:

"Steve was my hero growing up. He not only gave me a lot of personal advice and encouragement, he showed all of us how innovation can change lives. I will miss him dearly, as will the world."

Twitter CEO, Dick Costolo:

"Once in a rare while, somebody comes along who doesn't just raise the bar, they create an entirely new standard of measurement. #RIPSteveJobs"

Amazon CEO, Jeff Bezos

"Steve was a teacher to anyone paying attention, and today is a very sad day for everyone who cares about innovation and high standards."

"Like all music fans, we are saddened to hear of the passing of Steve Jobs. Steve was a larger-than-life personality — passionate about music and one of its biggest fans and advocates. He was a true visionary who forever transformed how fans access and enjoy music. With the introduction of the iTunes software and other platforms, Steve and Apple made it once again easy and accepted to pay for music. His legacy will live on, long past his all-too-short time on earth."

New York Times Chairman, Arthur Sulzberger Jr:

"Steve Jobs was a visionary and a wonderful friend of The New York Times. He pushed the boundaries of how all providers of news and information interact with our users. I am among the many who deeply regret his passing."

Verizon CEO, Lowell McAdam:

"Steve Jobs devoted his ceaseless energy and creative genius to technology innovation that changed the world time and time again. Our industry and all of our customers benefited tremendously from his pursuit of excellence. We will miss him."

RCCL CEO, Richard Fain:

"The world has lost a great innovator. Steve Jobs had both — the vision to see a need and the tenacity to make it happen."

Electronic Arts CEO, John Riccitiello:

"Steve was one of a kind. For many of us working in technology and entertainment, Steve was a new kind of hero that lead with big, bold moves and would not settle for less than perfection. He is the best role model for a leader that aspires to be great."

Chief Creative Officer and President of Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios, John Lasseter and Ed Catmull:

"Steve ... saw the potential of what Pixar could be before the rest of us, and beyond what anyone ever imagined. Steve took a chance on us and believed in our crazy dream of making computer animated films; the one thing he always said was to simply 'make it great.' He is why Pixar turned out the way we did and his strength, integrity and love of life has made us all better people. He will forever be a part of Pixar's DNA."

Nokia CEO, Stephen Elop

"The world lost a true visionary today. Steve's passion for simplicity and elegance leaves us all a legacy that will endure for generations. Today, my thoughts, and those of everyone at Nokia are with the friends and family that he leaves behind."

Intel CEO, Paul Otellini

"True genius is measured by the ability to touch every person on the planet. Steve did that, not just once, but many, many times over his amazing life."

Cisco Systems CEO, John Chambers

"The world lost a true visionary and great man today. Steve Jobs did more than simply shape our concepts of technology and invention, he helped define our understanding of how great innovation and design can bring people closer together."